If you and your piano students loved our giveaway holiday piece “Three Ships”, then you’ll definitely want to download the Christmas music we’re sharing today! Be sure to listen to the full preview below…
I have a very old Christmas carol book that used to be my Grandma’s. It’s probably 80 years old. She played from it, I played from it, and now I teach from it. Just the sight of that book floods me with holiday memories of my childhood, my teenage years, my first-married years, my “young first-time-teacher” years… all of it.
So when I hauled out that same old book to let one of my piano students choose a piece from it last week it was with welcome nostalgia.
My Grandma has been gone now for over 3 years but that book still reminds me of her; her spidery cursive writing is right there on the cover. There’s a small chew mark in the corner from where my daughter “tasted” We Three Kings as a baby. Memories.
But my piano student couldn’t choose just one carol. I like them all! You pick for me!
So I chose Away in a Manger.
We had a little discussion about how confusing this tune can be, given that there are two well-known versions of it… We goofed about creating a “mash-up” of the two and she added “Oh! And it would be cool to add a whole bunch more carols in there… then I wouldn’t have to choose just one!”
In The Bright Sky… Christmas Music For Teens
Later that night, with her comment in mind, I composed In The Bright Sky… a lyrical pop piano solo where the two “Away in a Mangers” combine… and where other favorite carols make mini-appearances too!
You can listen to In The Bright Sky below before downloading your own copy. And, just for fun, see if you can name all 7 carols that make an appearance!
You can download your own copy of In The Bright Sky here. We hope it stirs the same feelings of holiday happiness for you and your students as my Grandma’s old carol book does for me!
Check out this recording of “In The Bright Sky” by Michelle Miller
More Holiday Fun To Come…
We love giving things away at any time of the year, but during the holiday season it’s like Santa’s Workshop around the blog – so stay tuned as the fun printables keep coming!
And we want to know… what has been your favorite Teach Piano Today holiday resource, printable, blog post, or book that you’ve used either recently, or in the past?
Share in the comments below before Monday, December 7th at 12:00am PST and four lucky people will be chosen at random to select a PianoBookClub book of their choice!
I am new to TPT, and am steadily working my way through 104 pages of past blog entries with my morning coffee every day. You are totally inspiring me to become the best teacher I can be, and I am so full of ideas and plans. Thank you so much, all the way from England, and for the freebies and piano game club too. Merry Christmas!
Welcome Elaine! Happy you found us and thank you so much for your kind words 🙂
Elaine, this group at TPT will change your life! I’m not exaggerating. After I read Piano Hands Shouldn’t Flip Burgers, my studio started to explode in growth AND I was so much more relaxed as a teacher. Hope you enjoy.
My group class students are enjoying your game club games. My teens are thoroughly enjoying Three Ships and I’ll be sending them “In the Bright Sky” this morning. It will be a nice surprise to find it in their inbox!
Hi Beth! So glad to hear that they’ve been enjoying Three Ships 🙂 Hope this piece is fun for them too!
Thank you so much for sharing, Andrea! I love incorporating all your fresh materials into my lessons!
Thank you Emily – so happy to hear it!
How can I express the countless differences you have made in my life, let alone all my students’ lives. As Elaine mentioned above, I settle in with my morning coffee, open my inbox, and if I’m lucky, there you are, sharing advice, books, games, humor and comraderie. Thank you, once again.
You are so sweet Lauren! Thank you for your kindness 🙂
My Christmas recital is tomorrow–Saturday, December 5th. Five of your “Vamp Battle” duets are going to be shared. They have been a HUGE hit in my studio and I can’t wait to see the reactions from the audience! Thanks so much!!
Hi Iris – this is fantastic! It would make my day to see a video of the performances of Vamp Battles if you have the chance! 🙂 Best of luck at your recital tomorrow!
I haven’t been teaching very long; most of my students are still “primer-level” so a lot of the music I’ve collected from you is still beyond them. That being said, whenever I do bring out one of your pieces (or PBC books!) they know that even though they might have to work at it, they are going to love it. There have been very few times when this hasn’t been the case.
I always look forward to hearing about the new and interesting ideas you have to make lessons not only practical but fun as well! Thank you yet again for everything that you do, and I hope you keep doing it for a very long time! 🙂
Hi Christina – this is lovely to hear, thank you!
So many of your blogposts/resources have been so great and has inspired me to do so much more with my lesson times. A few favourites in particular are – summer piano challenge, the post about including siblings (and friends) in the last and first 5 minutes of the lessons to extend lesson time, simple game suggestions, and any post that shares on how to get your students practicing more!
Thank you so much!!
Wonderful Angela – thank you!
I loved the last piece you gave away but I think this one just might top it. When I gave one of my older students the Three ships piece she literally beamed with excitement and is still loving it. I’m excited to show this to her! Thanks so much for what you do! You’re making happy students and teachers everywhere!
Hi September! Love to hear this! I was joking with another reader that the “pressure was on” to post a follow-up to Three Ships that teens would like just as much – happy to hear that this piece may be well-loved by your student as well 🙂
I discovered ‘Teach Piano Today’ a few months ago, and in a short time I’ve gained so many insights and resources. It’s hard to pick one favorite, but Monster Mash Up and Halloween improv were a big hit last month. This month my students and I will be doing the Holiday practice incentives set, they are very motivating, and I really like the mini recital printable. Our holiday recital is tomorrow, but each my student will receive the mini recital printable next week so they can perform for their families at Christmas or their family/friends gathering. Thank you for all your wonderful resources, music, blog. They are my studio saver.
Thank you Irma! Best of luck at your recital tomorrow 🙂
It’s such a pleasure to see how inspiring holidays can be. Thanks for your generosity!!! Cheers from Argentina!
Thanks for all you do to inspire teachers to be their best. I feel like I have learned so much and gained more confidence with the teaching tools and advice you offer. You are people that truly make the world a better place! I love my piano games and so do my students! They are always so excited to see the new ones each month, and so am I!! Thank you so much and Merry Christmas!
Hi Julie! So happy to hear PianoGameClub has been a welcome addition to your studio and that you look forward to seeing them each month! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you as well!
My students and I absolutely love Three Ships! I have several teens who are having the best time playing it.
I also love the Santa composing activity. It was an easy & fast way to get my students’ creative juices flowing. I even used it with my adult group class (took away the graphics so it was more suitable for them), and it was the perfect no-stress activity for them!
Thanks for all the great music & other resources!
What an absolutely gorgeous piece. Another fantastic addition to the collection of games, books, strategies and inspirations. Thank you!
What got me started with your resources was “Piano Hands Shouldn’t Flip Burgers.” That changed my way of teaching entirely and then I found a whole new world of resources–music, games, and ideas that continue to help me improve my teaching. I love you guys!
So happy to hear Piano Hands Shouldn’t Flip Burgers was inspiring for you Linda!
I’m going to enjoy playing this myself! What a great piece for a prelude at church!
Hi Diane! Wonderful 🙂 We hope it gets lots of use by you and your students!
We’ve had fun with the Jungle Bells duet the past couple years.
Wow! Is it possible to have a copy of that? I’m looking for Christmas Piano Duet, thanks!
What a lovely piece. I’ll be showing it to students this afternoon.
Thank you for all the wonderful teaching ideas. I especially love the song, “In the Bright Sky.” I am
excited to share this beautiful rendition of all the
Christmas songs with my students. You have made
me a better piano teacher with all the teaching ideas
you have given me from your blog. Thank you again.
Thank you Karen! We so appreciate your kind words 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! Love listening to it this morning!
Thanks Mom 😉
Well I did say that Three Ships would be a hard act to follow, and follow you did with a piece that will be a standard in this studio each year. We love the more advanced music, but also the Rollicking Reindeer Rhythms has proved to be quite the motivator for the littlies. There is something about “getting to do” the next one which they already know the name of…so hilarious!
Phew! Glad you like it Susanne 🙂 The various reindeer were a big motivator with my piano kids too! There’s something about “finishing a set” isn’t there?!
This is a beautiful arrangement and I look forward to giving it to some of my teens, as well as playing it myself at a holiday party! 🙂 Thank you for continually providing such awesome resources!
Thank you Christina 🙂
Thanks for all your awesome resources! My 14-year old student has LOVED “Three Ships” and by the way, so did I! It is fun to play for student and teacher alike! I’m excited to print this one out to see how she will like it!
I used multiple ideas of yours, and some of your music. I’m also have my 3rd Wunderkeys student. Thank you for everything you do for piano teachers. No formal education can substitute for the spirit of enthusiasm and creativity you blogs exude.
I second every positive comment above. I love this arrangement, will print out copies for my more advanced students, but will keep one in my personal Christmas music folder for my own playing enjoyment. Thank you again, many times over, for all the games, music, ideas and inspiration you and Trevor share with us. Big warm, wintery hugs from Oregon to B.C.!
Thanks so much Kathleen! Happy to hear you’ll be using the piece yourself too 🙂
I just enjoy getting to share Christmas music with the students. It’s crazy how many are not familiar with any Christmas carol melodies let alone the lyrics. Even Rudolph or Frosty. Thank you for your blogs and for sharing your music.
Hi Anna – it’s very true! I always try to expose my students to the “old” ones too (as they call them!) as that music is too beautiful to leave behind 🙂
YES!!! Always love your arrangements, Andrea!
What a fun mash-up! Thanks for sharing this exciting new piece, Andrea. You continue to inspire us with your flair for composing and your dedication to teaching.
My favorite TPT holiday piece was “Monster Mash-up”. I had several students that LOVED the freedom to mix and match the “monster bits” measures to create their own version of the piece. Even now, in December, I have a student that insists upon playing her mash-up every time she comes for her lesson. It will surely make an appearance at our Fall Holiday recital coming up, too. Thanks for sharing your brilliant ideas!
Awesome Leah! The Monster Mash-up was such a hit that we’re working on a future PianoBookClub book full of those kind of pieces! 🙂
Always inspiring and motivating and refreshing! Thank you!
Fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing this great piece! Super excited to give it to my older students next week. 🙂
This looks great! Forwarded the PDF to my student and can’t wait to play through it when I get home! Yet another fun and musically satisfying piece from the Dows. I don’t know how you keep doing it over and over again!
What is my favorite?? Wow, that’s a difficult question… kind of like saying who is my favorite student?? I like so many of your compositions that I don’t know where to start. My students love “I Saw Three Ships” because it has a current style, even though it is a classic. The arrangement sounds more difficult than it is to read and is a fun song to play! I am using “Intervalactic” with a few of my students and it is exactly what they needed to spice things up and give them the reading experience to help with recognizing intervals. You make exercises fun. I could go on and on. Your creativity is fresh and your compositions are all very welcome and enjoyed by students and teachers in our music school! Thank you for all you do!
Loving your blog and all your ideas and compositions. My studio thanks you!
Rebekah
I homeschool and these ideas are great for piano and music, and teaching in general! I am a better teacher because of this information. Thank you!!
My most-used favourite has got to be “Muttzart and Ratmaninoff”. It has become almost a rite of passage in my studio – as younger siblings come along they anxiously await the day that they are ready for their own copy of that “composing book” that their older brother or sister used…
The “Save Santa” Composing activity has been the most well-used of all the printables from you so far! It’s been a huge hit and the completed compositions have started decorating my studio. Thank you! Keep ’em coming 🙂
I love your Trash to Treasure composing activity. All my students love it and it really gets them past their fear of composing.
This year “I Saw Three Ships” has been an outstanding favourite; but it’s hard to choose. All your materials are fantastic!
i just joined the piano book club and picked up my copy of the Intervalactic book this morning! Also I have a student who loves Devlin’s Theme and is playing it in our recital next Sunday. So glad I found this fantastic resource.
Glad you found us too Sarah! Happy to hear Devlin’s Theme is well-loved 🙂
Another great arrangement. Thank you so much! I have three boys who started their first lessons in May, ages 8, 9.5, and 10 and they are playing Three Ships and doing a great job with it. So far I’ve given them just the first page because I want to expose them to as much Christmas music as possible. One of the great things about these arrangements is it is easy to do just part of it, depending on the student’s skill. Love this arrangement. Thank you!
Thank you! I’m new to music downloads and enjoying the technology and the generosity of sharing.
Did you know we are best friends? I LOVE you two like family and tell my piano teaching friends about you all the time. It’s not creepy at all, but let’s just say you are safe from me in Canada…
Hi Loni – this is hilarious! I think we just might be best friends as we have a very similar sense of humor 😉
I LOVE being in the piano book club! My students love the music. The silver screen playbook and nuts about note reading were special favorites. It is great to have music surprises to give my students. I have utilized many of your ideas. Thank you for inspiring me and my students!!
My Favourite TPT Holiday resource has been the Save Santa Composing activity. And the Three Ships piece.. And now this brand New Bright Sky piece.
But with soooo many to choose from, who can pick just one?!
Love it….love it….love it!!!!!! Thanks so much. Keep shining brightly!!!
Thank you Caroline!
I am sending home the elves this next week! Hopefully it will be helpful for the practice during these busy days. Also…I have to play “background” music tomorrow at a party…and I think this will be in the line up! Thanks.
Hi Karen – lovely! Happy to hear you can use it right away… and yes, hoping those practice elves go to work over the holidays for your kiddos 🙂
I just signed up this year for your games which have been wonderful. Enjoy your blog also. Most of my students are young but I am looking forward to sharing In The Bright Sky with my 2 teenagers. I also plan on playing for friends and family this Christmas.
I have used your 5 Piano Lesson Closers quite a bit. My students and I particularly like “Simon Says!” This lets us use every valuable moment of the lesson!
Hi Judy – isn’t it the perfect little “wrap up” activity?! I use it all the time too 🙂
It is beautiful! I download almost every printable to make lessons more interesting and fun for my students and me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I think Bright Sky is something that I can even use to play at church.
Wonderful to hear Eunice!
Thank you! This is going to be my prelude in church this Sunday! Perfect! Then I’ll give it to a couple of students to enjoy after our recital, over the Christmas break – they get 2 weeks off from lessons this year.
Thanks a lot for the song! Toghether with the Three Ships song I use a lot the fortune teller to practise intervals.
Glad to hear the fortune teller is being well-used Maria Laura 🙂
I’m fairly new to TPT and am reading and using your blog posts to keep my now “tween” agers going strong. You have been a wealth of information in bringing me into the digital world where they live!
Hi Ann – happy to hear your tween-age group is going strong! 🙂
I just moved and have to start my studio all over. :'( But I love all the music you provide. I love to play Three Ships. My husband is the perfect level for all the teen-targeted music in the Piano Book Club. I love having my children see both Mommy AND Daddy having fun at the piano. Thank you for everything, Dows!
This is so cool Sarah! I love the memories you’re making for your kids of both of you at the piano – fabulous! 🙂
My students enjoy the Moose on the Loose game. Thanks for all you do!
You gave this away as a part of the 12 Gifts of Christmas two years ago — The Snow Day Board Game. But I get a lot of mileage out of…we play it until about March and the students never seems to tire of it. They even wanted to play it once the flowers started blooming! Thanks for all the great gifts. Santa couldn’t bring anything better for a piano teacher than what we get from Andrea and Trevor. Happy, Happy Holidays!
That’s wonderful Barbara and yes, my kiddos seem to like to collect the little clothing cards too with that game 🙂
I loved the Mutterwump Masterpiece with my younger kids this summer as a little project. They received a new piece each week and LOVED it.
Guardians of Arranmore is so awesome for studying those minor keys!
I guess I need to be fired as a piano teacher though…..because I can only find 5 Carols in this Mash-Up! Please list ALL 7 you are claiming!!!
I’ve got: Away in a Manger-traditional, Away in a Manger-English version, Joy to the World, Holly and the Ivy and The First Noel.
🙂
I’m going to be checking back on this!!!
You did pretty good! There are the two Away in a Manger versions, Joy to the World, What Child Is This, Holly and the Ivy, Deck the Halls and The First Noel 🙂
What Child Is This! THAT’S the one I couldn’t find – where is it?
Thanks so much for this! My teens get so excited when they get music that is ‘written for them’. They will love it!
Love your blog, website, resources, and generosity. Fearless Fortissimo is my favorite–so far. . . It just electrifies kids and makes them want to get to the piano! But there are so many great resources and ideas you’ve shared that really help. Another great one is the fingercise cup to fix collapsing finger joints. Some kids just need it.
And I’m there with L. Warren–I can only find the same 5, and I thought I knew my carols pretty well!
Hi Rachel – so happy to hear you are a Fortissimo fan! To save you from wondering – the carols are:
The two versions of Away in a Manger, Joy to The World, What Child is This? (immediately follows the Joy to the World excerpt), Holly and the Ivy, Deck the Halls and the First Noel. Itty bits of each, but they’re there 🙂
Thank you so much for all your blogs and printable pages. My students really enjoy the fun activities.
Happy to hear it Doreen!
I love all the ideas you share but the halloween improv and the duet Bluesy Kidz both went down a treat with my students! Thank you 🙂
Hi Rebecca – wonderful! Did you grab the Christmas improv activity too? If you missed it the link is here: https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2015/11/29/a-santas-workshop-improv-activity-for-beginning-piano-students/
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful arrangement — I really enjoyed playing it right after downloading! I am very excited to share it with some of my teens!
1. I can’t believe how much you give us for FREEEEEE,
2. I’m crazy about Wunderkeys
3. I used the Improv Halloween game for our monthly make-up class and will use the Christmas one too
4. Piano Hands Shouldn’t Flip Burgers changed my life. From 9 students to 100 now.
5. Thank you, Thank you and THANK YOU!!
Wow Kelly – congrats on the rapid expansion of your studio 🙂 9 students to 100 is awesome – happy that the Piano Hands book was a small part of that 🙂
Our recital is next week at a local rest home. Then it’s party time using so many of your fun game ideas. Love them.
Happy party time Tish! Best of luck at your recital 🙂
I have all the Piano Club books. But thanks for sharing!
I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite thing you’ve shared. All your blogs, pieces etc are fantastic and all my students love them as much as I do.
My favorite is Fearless Fortissimo. Over half of my students are boys and this helps keep them interested.
Right now my favorite holiday resource is the Rollicking Reindeer book. I started using it last week. What a clever idea in the “Dasher” song to have students use candy canes as drumsticks to tap out the rhythm, and to have them use a different hand to drum each type of note (quarter note or eight note). It really helps them pay attention to the difference between the notes! Thank you for everything, including this beautiful song!
I wait eagerly every day for your post. I have learned so much and am a very different (better) teacher because of you. What a generous couple you are. I hope you are rewarded by the number of teachers that are helped like me.
Thanks so much for your really helpful posts throughout the year. I love ‘ In the Bright Sky’ and think my students will too.
I love your fun ideas for games. I have one-on-one lessons with my students, and as a new teacher, I like having a repertoire of games, in which they learn something new. I use them when my lesson ends a minute or two early. thanks so much for everything!
Hi
Yes thank you sooo sooo much for all the inspiration. I am very happy that I joined your clubs. Kids love the games and my new teen student decided to continue as he loves the Christmas piece too. You have changed my way of teaching for a better one. Thank you :-)))
I love the recital readiness cards. Our recital is this week and they are ready to announce their pieces with GUSTO! It gets them thinking about their speed too! I’ve also been recording them this week! Such great help!!
I echo everyone who has shared their enthusiasm for your site, and all you offer!! I was so pleased to have one of my teen students play Three Ships at today’s Christmas recital. She loved learning and performing it, and the audience loved hearing it … thank you for making it available!
Wonderful to hear Lorraine! Thank you for including our music in your recital – we’re flattered! 🙂
Beautiful arrangement Andrea! What a gift you have given to all of us <3
Thank you so much! I’ve been following your blog for a few months and have loved and learned so much. I just signed up for the book club and I’m looking forward to 2016 with you!
Hi Christine! Wonderful to hear! 🙂 We look forward to sending you some exciting new supplementary repertoire in the New Year!
I love Ninjas, Three Ships, and Into the Woods. Thanks!
You’re so welcome Lindsay! Glad to hear you’re loving the music 🙂
What RCM level would you estimate this arrangement is?
Grade 5 or 6 I would think Sarah
Thank you so much for the Christmas resources.
Three Ships and In the Bright Sky are beautiful. My students are really enjoying playing your music and I am enjoying being a club member. Thank you.
In October, my students had a lot of fun with Monster Mash Up and Hocus Pocus Black Cat. I am looking forward to trying out the Christmas Improv with them in December. Thank you!
great, thanks for including this in your newsletter email, I’d forgotten about this piece!
Hey! My student and I were trying to figure all 7 songs in “In the Bright Sky”. We can only come up with 4 (5 if you count the one that we know is a song but don’t know the name). Can you help us out? Thanks!!!
Absolutely!
The 7 carols are:
Away in a Manger version 1
Away in a Manger version 2
Joy To The World (measure 29)
What Child is This? (measure 33)
The First Noel (measure 42)
The Holly and The Ivy (measure 45)
Deck The Halls (measure 54)
And yes, many of them are just “whispers” of the original carol 🙂
Thanks so much! I super appreciate it!
My pleasure! 🙂
I have several teen beginner students. Your arrangements have been perfect for them–not childish and challenging enough for an older beginner to learn and sound good even at a beginning level!
Thank you so much for your diligence and creativity. Have a wonderful Christmas season.
Thank you so much, Deb! So glad these pieces have worked well for your students 🙂